How to Remove Dry Erase Paint

Meg Butler

Dry erase paint allows for a much larger surface at a more affordable price than standard dry erase boards. If you've found it to be more trouble than its worth, or you've simply outgrown it, dry erase paint is easy to remove with a little paint solvent. However, the solvent will also remove the paint below the dry erase paint on the wall. Your best bet is to strip the whole wall and start over with a fresh coat of paint.

Strip dry erase paint from the wall once you're done with it.

Step 1

Stir the paste well with a paint paddle. Be sure to scrape the sides and the bottom of the container as you mix.

Step 2

Pour 2 cups of the paint remover into a plastic container or paint tray. Resist the temptation to add more. Applying the remover a little bit at a time allows you to apply and remove it before it dries on the wall and makes the paint much harder to remove. Working in small sections also limits the amount of time you are exposed to the noxious fumes.

Step 3

Apply a roughly 1/4-inch thick layer to the wall with a paint brush or roller according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 4

Leave the remover in place for the manufacturer-recommended amount of time (usually 30 minutes to one hour). Leave the room for most of the waiting period to avoid the fumes. Check on the remover towards the end of the manufacturer's wait time. When the paint bubbles and loosens, it is ready to be removed.

Step 5

Scrape the paint off of the wall with a plastic putty knife. Dump the goop into the nearby trashcan.

Step 6

Moisten a rag with the paint remover. Scrub the scraped area to remove any residual remover and loosened paint.

Step 7

Wipe the wall with a water-dampened rag or the neutralizing solvent recommended by the remover's manufacturer. If that solvent is anything other than water, follow the solvent wipe with a damp rag wipe.

Step 8

Re-apply the remover to any stubborn spots in the treated section.

Step 9

Remove a fresh section of paint. Continue until all of the dry erase paint has been removed.